NEWS

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: This position requires licensure as an architect in the State of Michigan. Non-licensed individuals or individuals licensed in other states or countries will not be considered for this role. Do not apply and misrepresent your qualifications if you do not meet the requirements for the role.

NOTE TO RECRUITERS: We will only work with companies with whom we have an existing relationship and executed search agreement to fill this position. Unsolicited inquiries to anyone within the firm will be treated as spam messages and blocked.

Roles and responsibilities of the Office Director include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• · Management and supervision of all staff (currently 1-2) in our Grand Rapids office, including mentoring, assignment of tasks, and daily direction.
• · Substantial role in business development, particularly for projects located within western Michigan.
• · Primary contact for Owner on assigned projects. Regular verbal and written contact with clients and consultants, including preparation of meeting agendas and minutes.
• · Collaborates with Director of Design and other staff in development of design solutions.
• · Completes time records, expense reports, and other required financial documentation in a timely manner.
• · Responsibility for successful delivery, quality control/assurance, and budget conformance on all projects. Oversees complete, coordinated set of design and construction documents for all sizes of projects.
• · Prepares and updates documentation as required by the firm’s project management standards.
• · Responsible for project financial performance and profitability, including short- and long-term scheduling of required staff and monitoring of labor budgets and staff hours.
• · Reviews and approves monthly invoices from consultants.
• · Reviews draft monthly invoices to Owner; recommends billing percentages to Principals.
• · Develops project schedule(s) and conducts meetings / submissions required with Owner and internal project teams to achieve proper project outcomes and schedule conformance.
• · Prepares owner-architect agreements in consultation with Principal-In-Charge; continuously monitors project scope and Owner direction for potential additional services; prepares and secures approval of additional services requests when warranted.
• · Prepares consultant agreements and negotiates consultant fees in accordance with overall fees and firm profit expectations.
• · Understands all applicable and known code and zoning requirements for a project and ensures compliance with same in design and construction documents.
• · Prepares or supervises preparation of estimates of construction cost.
• · Makes judgments and decisions required to conform project scope and direction to Owner’s available budget, including alternate bid items and cost reduction strategies; monitors work of project team to ensure compliance.
• · Ensures documentation of known and foreseeable existing conditions for remodeling and addition projects; accounts for existing conditions in design and construction documents.
• · Understanding of computer software required to accomplish project assignments.
• · Oversees construction administration activities of team members.
• · Prepares front-end and bidding documents for projects as required.
• · Leads an aspect of firm management such as standards development and documentation.
• · Active participation / occasional leadership in business development activities including project interviews with potential clients, including scheduled evening and/or weekend times.
• · Participation in client meetings and presentations, including scheduled evening and/or weekend times.
• · Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required:

• Professional degree in architecture or architectural studies.
• 12+ years of progressive architectural experience within an architectural firm and/or as a sole proprietor in all phases of non-residential projects. At least five years of experience in public sector, public bid projects such as recreation, municipal, library, K-12, or higher education is desirable.
• State of Michigan architecture license required.
• Understanding of BIM/Revit required. Lumion, Enscape, and/or SketchUp modeling/rendering experience highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organization, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
• Experience and interest in business development highly desirable.
• Ability to interact professionally with office leadership and clients.
• Ability to self-manage tasks from start to finish with minimal oversight.

We offer an industry-leading benefit package including performance bonuses, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, 15 days of paid vacation annually, 10 sick/personal days annually, 10 paid holidays annually, and eligibility for the firm’s profit-sharing plan.

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume and work samples illustrating professional experience in construction document production.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. We are not sponsoring candidates for work authorization/visas at this time.

Williams Architects Aquatics is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.